TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 6

To Kill a Mockingbird

Today

- Historical background 

- Discussion questions

- What did you think?

- Discussing part 1!

Some dates to give you some background on the Civil Rigths Movement in the U.S.

1861 - 1865 American Civil War 

1863 - Emancipation proclamation 

1865 - 13th amendment (abolishment of slavery)

1865 and onwards - black codes later Jim Crow laws

1868 - 14th amendment ( granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States—including formerly enslaved people—and guaranteed all citizens “equal protection of the laws.”)

1954 - Brown vs. board of Education (1957 little rock nine)

1955 - Rosa Parks refuses to give up her seat on the bus; murder of Emmet Till. 

1963 - bombing of 16th street babtist church

1964 - the Civil Rights Act bans discrimination by race

(documentary 13th). 

The structure of the book

"To Kill A Mockingbird" is divided into two parts.  Part 1 encompasses chapters 1-11.  Part 2 comprises chapters 12-31. 

Mockingbird part 1

Let's have a look at chapters 1 to 11

Tell me about the narrator of "To Kill A Mockingbird"?

Explain the title "To Kill A Mockingbird"

What's with the title?

'I'd rather you shot at tin cans in the back yard, but I know you'll go after birds. Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird' (p.99)

What's with the title?

'"Your father's right', she said. 'Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird' (p.99).

Jean “Scout” Finch

Atticus Finch

Arthur “Boo” Radley

In part 1, Scout is 6 and Jem is 10. In part 2, Scout is 8 and Jem is 12. What other differences are there between the parts?

Tom Robinson

Why is Tom Robinson found guilty or innocent of the rape of Mayella Ewell?

What happens to Tom Robinson?

What happens to Bob Ewell?

What happens to Boo Radley?

Themes

Chapter 12 – Skeeter – 

"Hilly raises her voice about three octaves when talking to black people. Elizabeth smiles like she's talking to a child, although certainly not her own. I'm starting to notice things"

Using at least two examples from the book, explain what Lee wants to say about prejudice

People lie in the book, sometimes for evil, but sometimes for good. Give an example of both.

What does the book tell us about the difference between Justice and the Law? Give an example

What does the book tell us about the difference between Knowledge and Education? Give an example

What do you consider the most important lesson of "To Kill A Mockingbird"